A Newer Therapeutic Strategies For Alzheimer’s Disease

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 19(6); 2001 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2001;19(6): 559-565.

알쯔하이머병의 새로운 치료전략

충북대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실,충북대학교 의학연구소

A Newer Therapeutic Strategies For Alzheimer’s Disease

Seol-Heui Han, M.D.

"Department of Neurology, Chungbuk National University Hospital,Chungbuk National University Medical Research Institute"

Abstract

"Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized pathologically by cholinergic deficits, extracelluar amyloid deposit, intra-neuronal neurofibrillary tangles, gliosis and neuronal and synaptic loss. The primary therapeutic approach has been cholinergic augumentation by chlolinesterase inhibitors, which at best modestly improve cognitive function. Several recent advances have provided new insights and possibilities in defining therapeutic targets for AD. Research on the underlying pathophysiological dysfunction finally disclose more disease specific processes. Of particular importance is the identification and characterization of the secretases involved in endoproteolytic processing of ß-amyloid precursor protein, the precursor of the amyloid ß-peptide (Aß). It is generally accepted that Aß has pivotal role in the pathogenesis of AD, and that reducing brain Aß levels may be a disease modifying strategy. By inhibiting one or both amyloidogenic secretase and immunization with Aß, neuropathological features of AD can be prevented or alleviated. Key Words : Alzheimer’s disease, Amyloid precursor protein, Presenilin, Apolipoprotein E, Aß vaccine, Secretase inhibitor"